In the article it's clearly stated that breaking the deal haunted the weaker rider for the rest of his career (and life). There was plenty of reason not to defe

In the article it's clearly stated that breaking the deal haunted the weaker rider for the rest of his career (and life). There was plenty of reason not to defect, and he regretted it immediately and never stopped regretting it. Giving your word and then violating it, and being called out publicly for it in an area where your word is important, is highly damaging to you. Guy ended up divorced partly because his wife kept throwing it back on him that his entire career was built around breaking a promise.